Stanford University 120th Commencement

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Transcript of Stanford University 120th Commencement

Stanford University 120th Commencement Weekend June 9th - June 12th Hosted by Stanford Alumni ASsociation The Stanford Alumni ASsociation (SAA) provides students with networking forums, celebratory and social events, and special awards that help students meet the needs of college life as well as transition into life as an alumnus. The SAA fosters classmate and student/alumni connections and develops programs that leverage a community of 200,000 students, alumni, and faculty worldwide. The Stanford Alumni Association hosts various events during Commencement Weekend. Schedule of Events June 9th June 10th June 11th June 12th Senior Dinner on the Main Quad Reception: 7:00 – 7:45 p.m.Dinner: 7:45 – 11:00 p.m.An evening exclusively for the Class of 2011Semi-formal dressSeniors receive information about event by email from SAANon-ticketed eventRSVP by June 6th on SAA website Class Plaque Dedication Ceremony 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.Class of 2011 plaque added to Main QuadWelcome address by Senior Class PresidentsRemarks from Freshman Dean Julie Lythcott-Haims and President of SAA Howard WolfSeniors place item that reflects unique Stanford experience into time capsule for Class of 2011Marks importance of each undergraduate class and its unique place in Stanford history Hoover Tower Carillon Performance Heard throughout main campus to celebrate graduates and their accomplishmentsPerformed by Stanford graduate, Timothy Zerlang (Doctor of Musical Arts) Baccalaureate Celebration at Main Quad 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.Multi-faith, student-led commemoration service for graduating seniors, families and friendsBookend to Opening Convocation held for freshmen four years agoAlso sponsored by Office for Religious LifeGuest speaker – Reverend Gail Bowman, chaplain at Dillard University in New OrleansStudent speaker – Samuel Gould Class Day Lecture 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Maples PavilionMore than forty-year long occasion for graduates and family and friends to experience uniqueness of Stanford educationFeatures popular Stanford professor, delivering last lecture to graduatesSpeaker: Rob Reich, associate professor of political scienceBackground in philosophy, education and role as director of Ethics in Society programProvides Powerful, lasting perspective on how graduating seniors can create own meaningful legaciesRSVP by June 6th on SAA website President's Reception 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Lou Henry Hoover HouseGraduates and families invited to join President John Hennessy, Mrs. Andrea Hennessy, and members of faculty and administration for reception to gardens of Hoover HouseNon-ticketed event Commencement Ceremony at Stanford Stadium 1. Student Pride on Graduation Day, 9:25 a.m. 2. Before the Diploma Ceremony, 9:26 a.m. 3. Before the Diploma Ceremony, 9:30 a.m. 4. Information Booth at the STanford Stadium, 9:38 a.m. 5. Complementary Refreshments Booth at the Stanford Stadium, 9:39 a.m. 6. Tunnel into Stanford Stadium, 9:40 a.m. 7. Stanford Stadium, 9:41 a.m. 8. Stanford Stadium, 9:42 a.m. 9. Ceremony Stage in Stadium, 9:42 a.m. 10. The "Wacky Walk", 9:43 a.m. 11. Parents Shouting to their Children for a Picture, 9:43 a.m. 12. Graduates Posing for the Audience, 9:43 a.m. 13. "Wacky Walk" Costumes, 9:45 a.m. 14. "Wacky Walk" Costumes, 9:47 a.m. 15. Audience and Procession, 9:49 a.m. 16. Live Webcast, 10:01 a.m. 17. More Costumes, 10:01 a.m. 18. The Stanford Tree, Mascot, 10:02 a.m. 19. STanford Commencement Ceremony, 10:22 a.m. 20. Stanford Security Patrol, 10:39 a.m. 21. Top of Stanford Stadium, 10:41 a.m. 22. Stanford Stadium, 10:41 a.m. 23. Banner Protesting Guest Speaker President of Mexico, 10:47 a.m. 25. Graduates Thanking Parents in the Audience, 10:51 a.m. 24. Audience clapping for Guest Speaker President of Mexico, 10:51 a.m. 26. Recessional, 11:14 a.m. 27. Recessional, 11:22 a.m. 28. Post-Ceremony Greetings, 11:30 a.m. 29. Graduate Posing for Camera, 11:30 a.m. 30. Stanford Band Playing during Recessional on Empty Stage, 11:32 a.m. 31. Walk from One Ceremony to the Next, 12:05 p.m. 32. Refreshments on the Walk, 12:06 p.m. 33. Diploma Ceremony Banquet, 12:32 p.m. 34. Computer Science Diploma Ceremony, 12:44 p.m. 35. Human Biology Diploma Ceremony, 2:31 p.m. 36. Human Biology Diploma Ceremony, 2:31 p.m. 37. Iberian and Latin American Cultures Diploma Ceremony, 2:33 p.m. 38. Material Sciences and Engineering Diploma Ceremony, 2:33 p.m. Gates open 8:00 a.m., procession begins 9:30 a.m., official ceremony begins 10:00 a.m.Non-ticketed event, ALL are welcomeCeremony participants must arrive to stadium at 8:45 a.m. in cap & gownStudents and faculty rent caps & gowns from: http://commencement.stanford.edu/capsandgowns/index.html (deadline April 29th)Distribution from June 3rd–11th at Stanford Bookstore General Ceremony Information from Stanford University: Dress for the heat; light clothing is advisable.Hats, visors, and sun block are recommended.Water will be available in the Main Quadrangle for Baccalaureate and in the Stadium for the Commencement ceremony, but you may wish to bring your own water as well.Light refreshments will be available for purchase.We regret that umbrellas will not be permitted, as they would block the view of other guests. For the comfort of families and guests: Security and Safety: All bags are subject to search at all entrances to the stadium.No large items (i.e. banners, posters, umbrellas) or bullhorns/megaphones allowedNo promotional items with commercial slogans or identificationNo smoking or alcohol permitted at ceremonies Stroller Check Area: No strollers allowed in seating areas of stadiumStroller check area available near Gate 3 of stadium 1. Processional Stanford Jazz Workshop Commencement Ensemble Order of Academic Procession Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Chief Undergraduate MarshalFlag of the United States of AmericaFlag of the State of CaliforniaUniversity School Flags Earth SciencesHumanities and SciencesEducationLawEngineeringMedicineGraduate School of Business “Wacky Walk”: graduating seniors enter stadium dressed in eccentric and unique costumes, family and friends take pictures from their seats of the seniors who pose on the stadium grounds Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs & Dean of Student Life, Chief Advanced Degree MarshalCandidates for Advanced DegreesSenate Chair of the Academic Council, Chief Faculty MarshalUniversity FlagSenate of the Academic CouncilUniversity Award Winners, Distinguished GuestsFacultyDeansOfficers of the UniversityTrusteesChair of the Board of TrusteesPresident's FlagDean and Senior Associate Dean for Religious LifeProvostCommencement Keynote SpeakerPresident of the University Candidates for Bachelor's Degrees 2. “America, the Beautiful” by Stanford Chamber Chorale 3. Invocation by Reverend Scott McLennan, Dean for Religious Life 4. Welcome Address by President John Hennessy 5. Presentation of Awards by Provost John W. Etchemendy The Walter J. Gores Faculty Achievement Awards Recognition of excellence in teaching in its broadest sense The Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Awards Recognition of faculty or staff members and two members of senior class who have made distinctive contributions to development and enrichment of undergraduate education in its broadest sense The Kenneth M. Cuthbertson Awards Recognition of exceptional service to university and contributions to goals of university in its widest sense 6. Address by guest speaker Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, President of Mexico Staunch advocate of education and progress in order to surmount worldly matters at hand Nominated by the Senior Class Presidents as the 2011 Commencement speaker "to send a powerful message" to the country and the rest of the world about the importance of leadership in international cooperation and social justice "In his capacity as a head of state, President Calderón has grappled with real problems and solutions that have had a tangible impact on both the domestic and international stage. He serves as an example of commitment and leadership in the face of adversity, characteristics we all may hope to emulate as we move on to the next phase of our lives and embark on a new series of opportunities and challenges. We are so pleased he has accepted our invitation." - Senior Class Presidents “His views on a life devoted to solving pressing problems and to improving society will be particularly meaningful to our graduates, as will his experience leading a nation so vitally intertwined with the future of California and the United States.” - President John Hennessy 7. Conferral of Degrees 8. Greetings to the Graduates by President John Hennessy Graduates applaud and thank families (see picture 25) 9. The Stanford Hymn by Stanford Chamber Chorale 10. Benediction by Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann 11. Recessional Stanford Jazz Workshop Commencement EnsembleMembers of audience asked to remain standing until trustees, faculty, and president's party have left stadium Link to YouTube video of Commencement Ceremony: http://www.youtube.com/user/StanfordUniversity#p/u/0/gY5b9lJnQ3I Link to Stanford webpage of Commencement Ceremony: commencement.stanford.edu Diploma Ceremonies & Receptions Approximately 12:30 p.m. at various campus locations (see Commencement program)Deans and department chairpersons present diplomas to graduates, one by one (see pictures 34-38)Newspapers and Photography Sponsors take pictures of each graduateFollowed by banquet and reception, with complementary meals and drinks (see picture 33)Non-ticketed event Parking accommodations for Class Day Lecture: Galvez Field located on corner of E Campus Dr. and Galvez St. 5-minute walk to Maples PavilionShuttle service from Galvez Field to Maples Pavilion from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., returning from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Additional parking at Knight Management Center underground parking structure 7Parking for guests with state-issued or temporary disabled parking permits available next to Maples Pavilion Route from Baccalaureate Celebration to Class Day Lecture: 10-15 minute walk from Main Quad/Memorial ChurchDisability/Mobility Assistance Shuttle service provided from top of Oval on Palm Drive from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., returning from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Shuttle Service to President's Reception: Depart from Tresidder Memorial Union every ten minutes between 2:45 – 4:30 p.m.Return from Hoover House every ten minutes between 4:00 – 5:20 p.m. Walking Directions to President's Reception: Walking directions to the Hoover House will be provided at the Tresidder Memorial Union shuttle stop on the day of the event. The Hoover House is approximately a 10-minute walk from the shuttle stop. Parking Accommodations for Commencement Ceremony Aeronautics and Astronautics – NVIDIA AuditoriumAfrican and African American Studies –Schwab Center (Vidalikas Hall)African Studies, Center for - Galvez Modular LawnAmerican Studies – Ford Center GroveAnthropology – New Guinea Sculpture GardenApplied Physics – William R. Hewlett Teaching Center, Room 200Art and Art History – Cummings Art BuildingAsian American Studies – Lomita Mall Lawn, near Building 360BioEngineering – James Clark Center CourtyardBiology – Gilbert Biological Sciences Building, Merck GreenChemical Engineering – Lawn between Old Chemistry and Stauffer IIIChemistry – Braun Auditorium, Mudd Chemistry BuildingChicana/o Studies – Lomita Mall Lawn, near Building 360Civil and Environmental Engineering – Memorial AuditoriumClassics – Lower Courtyard between Buildings 420 and 460Communication – Memorial CourtComparative Literature – Dinkelspiel AuditoriumComparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity – Lomita Mall Lawn, near Building 360Computer Science – AT&T Plaza (behind Gates Building)Continuing Studies Program – Keith Memorial Terrace (behind Memorial Church)Drama – Roble Gym CourtyardEarth Sciences – Mitchell Building, North PatioEast Asian Languages & Cultures – Toyon Hall LawnEast Asian Studies – Toyon Hall LawnEconomics – Hoover Tower Front LawnEducation – West Oval GroveElectrical Engineering – Alumni Lawn, School of MedicineEnglish – Memorial ChurchFeminist Studies – Canfield Court (Lawn behind the Bookstore)Film Media Studies – Cummings Art BuildingFinancial Mathematics – Oak Grove (adjacent to Building 380, Math Corner)French and Italian Studies – Dinkelspiel AuditoriumGerman Studies – Dinkelspiel AuditoriumGraduate School of Business – Frost Amphitheater (ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 11)History – Building 200, Citrus CourtyardHuman Biology – Center of Main QuadrangleIberian and Latin American Cultures – Dinkelspiel AuditoriumInstitute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering – SEQ, Huang 300, Mackenzie RoomInterdisciplinary Studies in Humanities – Ford Center GroveInternational Policy Studies – The Knoll behind Green LibraryInternational Relations – Dohrmann Grove (adjacent to Art Gallery)Latin American Studies – Bolivar HouseLaw, School of – Canfield Court (ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 11)Linguistics – Koret Park (between School of Education and Meyer Library)Management Science and Engineering – Lagunita CourtyardMaster of Liberal Arts – Keith Memorial Terrace behind Memorial ChurchMaterials Science and Engineering – Cubberley AuditoriumMathematical and Computational Sciences – Oak Grove (adjacent to Building 380, Math Corner)Mathematics – Oak Grove (adjacent to Building 380, Math Corner)Mechanical Engineering – Maples PavilionMedicine, School of – Alumni Lawn, School of Medicine (ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 11)Modern Thought & Literature – Ford Center GroveMusic – Braun Music Center, Campbell Recital HallNative American Studies – Lomita Mall Lawn, near Building 360Philosophy – Building 90 ArcadePhysics – William R. Hewlett Teaching Center, Room 200Political Science – Kennedy GrovePsychology – Ford Center PlazaPublic Policy – Encina Commons GroveReligious Studies – Ford Center GroveRussian, East European and Eurasian Studies – Encina Hall West LawnScience, Technology, and Society – Crothers Hall LawnSlavic Languages & Literature – Dinkelspiel AuditoriumSociology – East Oval GroveSpanish and Portuguese – Dinkelspiel AuditoriumStatistics – Oak Grove (adjacent to Building 380, Math Corner)Symbolic Systems – Lawn outside Building 310Urban Studies – East Oval Grove Location of Individual Diploma Award Ceremonies and Receptions Housing Accommodations for Commencement Ceremony Limited campus housing for parents and guests of graduating students is available from Friday, June 10 through Monday, June 13.Parents of graduating students will receive information regarding graduation housing in their Commencement packet.For detailed information, visit http://commencement.stanford.edu/housing/ or contact the Wilbur Housing Front Desk at (650) 736-9982 or julialiu@stanford.edu. Please confer with your graduating student regarding arrangements if you are interested in reserving space. Please Note: Your graduate will have to make reservations in person with the Lasuen Housing Front Desk. Reservations will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis until all rooms are reserved. The rooms in which your guests would stay are student rooms located in Stern and Wilbur Halls. All rooms are actual dormitory rooms with shared bathrooms and there is no air conditioning. There are no guarantees as to which building(s) your guest(s) will be assigned; however, every effort is made to keep parties together. Please also visit http://commencement.stanford.edu/travelodging/ to learn more about off-campus accommodations and available Bay Area hotels. Stanford is a particularly unique university. In large part thanks to its abundant financial endowments, Stanford strives to create a dynamic ceremony event, filled to the brim with the eccentricities and individual personalities from the university's graduating senior class. Therefore, it must be taken into consideration that Stanford is not like other universities. While campuses in countries like France do not even host graduations, most campuses across the United States host very formal and structured commencement ceremonies. One must recognize the importance that years of culture and tradition play into the structure of ceremony – and even the noise level and respect for the ceremony itself. Therefore, despite Stanford's penchant for breaking the mold (see presentation for “Wacky Walk”), some of the basic foundations for a commencement ceremony nevertheless come to light.

Perhaps the most important of these would be creating a tight and efficient infrastructure in the process of setting up a commencement ceremony. For Stanford, it was the Stanford Alumni Association (see presentation for SAA), which handled the entire development of the ceremony from start to finish, with the financial help of grants and sponsors from various alumni. For other campuses, it will be with the help of multiple sponsorships outside of the university. It becomes clear that the power of a solid financial investment is absolutely necessary in order to attain the level of respect and admiration that is required of a commencement ceremony. Attendees do not have pay a single dime, and everything during the weekend is funded by the association (see picture 32). From there, the university can create an organization to lay the proper groundwork and infrastructure.

An example of such foundation would be the vital need for various multipurpose venues across the university campus. It is important to allocate specific events to specific venues, in order to increase the efficiency throughout (see pictures 34-38). If the entire ceremony was to be held in one venue, it would be difficult to hold the audience's attention for such an extensive amount of time. Even though Stanford went above and beyond with a stage design that reflected well the pride of the university (i.e. cardinal banners and decorations, university flags; see picture 19), it would have been absurd to fix the audience to one singular location for a long time.

In fact, an ideal ceremony cannot be limited to even a single day. Because the experience of four life-changing years does not distill to a fleeting and transient moment, it is important to raise the anticipation for graduation by stretching out the bittersweet feeling of graduating. The power of such a week or weekend, dedicated to the accomplishments and successes of the graduating senior class, is impossible to harness otherwise. Stanford hosts multiple events before the actual commencement, such as a final lecture or the commemoration of the class plaque, so that once the day of the ceremony arrives, it is a day of finality and totality, a proper conclusion to four years of college. As a matter of fact, by creating a commencement weekend, the university opens up the chance for students to engage and participate more in these university-sponsored events, not only for the ones in the graduating class, but also for the rest of the undergraduates who wish to volunteer for (see pictures 4-5) or attend the events.

After all, it is extremely important that there are people who attend graduation, from both the graduating class and their families and friends (there was scoffing behind me in the audience when it was announced that one recipient of the Gore award “could not make it”). A plethora of activities and events will attract more than enough attention and inspire people, from both within and outside the university community, to join the celebration for the graduating senior class. Of course, it is perhaps even more crucial that the audience courtesy given to the graduates is strictly maintained – but only at the right places. For example, when the graduates entered the stadium dressed in all different kinds of costumes for the “Wacky Walk”, family and friends were trying to find their graduates in the crowd and take pictures from their seats in the audience (see pictures 11-12). Because everyone was scrambling to find their “wacky” graduates, the noise level was inevitably high and could not be maintained by any level of security. However, once the ceremony began and the guest speakers stepped onstage to give their speech, both the audience and the graduates remained still – even in the blazing heat – to respectfully watch and listen (see picture 24).

This was essentially the product of years of culture and tradition that can be integrated into Kyung Hee University. Building an elaborate commencement ceremony from an appropriate framework will invariably impress the need for respect and admiration on the audience. Therefore, not much security will be required, because the system is already so rigid and tight. In fact, the dozens of security officers presiding over Stanford's commencement did not have to do much at the ceremony itself (see picture 20). Merely enforcing safe seating, noise levels, and light security at the proper places (i.e. invocation, guest speaker address) was the extent to their participation in these events. Other basic security measures (see presentation) will be enforced, and of course there must be a strict ban on drugs and alcohol at the event.

All in all, it is difficult to initially base one graduation's off Stanford's eccentric and unique ceremony. The atmosphere of the entire weekend is unusual and found only in the few handful of schools who are willing to take that liberal step; the “Wacky Walk” is perhaps the epitome of Stanford's strive to break the mold. Nevertheless, with a proper setup of the commencement week or weekend by a proper association or group to handle it, it will not be long before a university like Kyung Hee University, with a lack of formal structure, catches up to the years of culture and tradition that American universities represent in their commencement ceremonies. Final Notes on Commencement Ceremony